Improvement in bag tags and fasteners



W. G. SMO'OT. Bag-Tag and Fastener.

Patented May 7,1878.

.7 a AIBostomMas Wifnesses.

NVPEI'ERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPNER, WASHINGYON. D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIoE;

WILLIAM G. CMOOT, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN BAG TAGS AND FASTENERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 203,381, dated May '7, 1878 application-filed April 18, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. SMooT, of Washington,in the county of Washington and District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Mail-Bag Tags and Fasteners; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had or strap attached; Fig. 2 is a similar view,.

showing the tag-box open for the removal, reversal, or insertion of a label. Fig. 3 is a side elevation. Fig. 4. is a bottom view. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the under side of the tag-box cover, showing its cam or fastener; and Figs. 6,7, and 8 are cross-sections taken on lines as m, y y, and z 2, Fig. 1, respectively.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts in all the figures.

A is a box, cast or stamped in one piece with an arm or plate, A, which is provided with a shallow rectangular depression or recess, a, in its upper side or face, for the insertion of a paper or pasteboard label, B. b is a hole or depression to receive the fastening pin or lug c on the pivoted cover C; and in order to enable this cover to slide over and upon plate A in closing without its projecting pin or lug catching against the square sides thereof, these are notched, as shown at b b, Fig.2, to form sloping guides, one on each side, to receive pin 0 and'carry it up on the smooth face of the plate, where it travels until it reaches the central depression or perforation b made to receive it, by which the cover is locked securely in place. To facilitate the removal, reversal, or insertion into the recess a of the label B,

the shallow box or recess a is provided with a cut or notch, d, on one side, into which the thumb-nail may be inserted, so as to easily remove or reverse the label.

Box A has four perforations, a a c 6, two at each end, through which the ends of the fastening cord or strap D are inserted. The cover C has a rectangular slot, f, on. each of the long sides of which is a raised flange or guard, g g. If preferred, this flange or guard may be made to surround the opening f on all sides; but this is not necessary. This guard serves 'the double purpose of protecting the label B and stiffening the cover C, so that this will not gasily bend or break in opening or closing the Upon the under side of cover C is a projecting pin, it, made with two shoulders, set opposite to each other, so as to form a cam, E. Pin h, below this cam, is inserted into a perforation in the bottom of box A, and its head enlarged, as shown at h, to prevent its withdrawal and keep the parts A A and C securely pivoted together.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawing, the operation of my invention will be readily understood. When the cover C is open, as represented in Fig. 2, the fastening-cord D may readily be adjusted around the neck of the bag or pouch, as the cam E does not, when the cover is in this position, bind the cord against thesides of the box, through which its two ends pass parallel to each other. At the same time, when the cover is in this position the label B may be readily removed, if desired,'and another substituted for it; or, by printing the pasteboard slips B with directions on both sides, it may simply be reversed. For example, a pouch which is used in the through service between Washington, District of Columbia, and Boston, Massachusetts, is provided with one of my combined tags and fasteners, into which is inserted alabel having Washington, D. 0., printed on one side, and Boston, Mass, on the other. After the pouch has been filled in Washington with through mail matter for Boston, the cord D is adjusted and fastened, as described, and at the same time this double label is so placed that the words Boston, Mass, shall be uppermost. On its arrival at the Boston postoffice it is emptied of its contents, and filled with through mail matter destined for Washington. The cord is again adjusted by opening the box, and in so doing the label is reversed, so as to read Washington, D. O.

Itwill thus be seen that all that it is necessary to change by the use of my combined tag and fastener is simply the paper or pasteboard label-slip, and not the tag; and also that the tag, being in itself a fastener, requires no fastening-hook or other device to attach it to the pouch or bag, as is the case with the wooden tags now used in the mail service of the United States. In closing cover 0, to fasten or secure the cord, the ends of cam E will bear against the cord with round shoulders, binding its two ends firmly against the sides of the box, through which they are inserted, ivithout cutting or injuring the cord in the east.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- A combined bag tag and fastener, consistin g, essentially, of the box A A, having recess a for the insertion of a label-slip and perforations a a e e for the cord to pass through, in combination with the pivoted cover 0, having slot or opening f, and cam E, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM G. SMOOT.

Witnesses:

J. M. DUFOUR, J. H. PARISH. 

